Another jam is over, and the TF community really turned this one out! The final count of entries was 686, which includes 230 SFM creations, 196 artworks, 146 maps, 34 models, 14 videos, 12 fanfictions, 2 games, 2 plushes, and a poem. Check them out and learn more here.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Improved Steam Voice support for servers that have enabled it
  • Removed sv_use_steam_voice convar. Steam voice is now selected via "sv_voicecodec steam"
  • Fixed demos not properly recording Steam Voice status, resulting in potential corrupt voice in demos with differing default settings
  • Will now use the native Steam Voice sampling rate, instead of clamping to 11kHz
  • Improved compatibility with Steam client beta
• Fixed OS X voice communication sounding high-pitched when using the default CELT voice codec
• Fixed an animation bug that would cause the client and server hitboxes to become out of sync
• Fixed the Scout not playing the correct animation when using the Shortstop's Alt-Fire to shove someone
• Fixed some missing VO sounds for the Scout when he picks up a baseball
• Fixed Spectators seeing the fake death notices for the Spy when he feigns death
• Fixed the Widowmaker not doing increased damage when the Sentry's target is a building, boss, or tank
• Fixed not earning Crikey meter progress with The Cleaner's Carbine when damaging a building, boss, or tank
• Fixed the Scout not getting assists for shoving players while using the Shortstop
• Fixed not being able to use non-tradable Giftapults
• Fixed powerups sometimes being removed from the game in Mannpower mode
• Fixed a case where the scoreboard would not update properly when players volunteer to switch teams in Casual mode
• Fixed a case where Casual servers would spontaneously terminate with "Server shutting down" upon losing connection with the matchmaking service
• Updated the logic used to pick the maps players can vote on in the end-of-match map vote on Casual servers to help maintain healthier game mode representation across regions
  • Casual servers were often rotating to unrelated game modes during votes, resulting in partially filled servers in certain regions
• Updated the player_bodygroups that are hidden when equipping The Dark Falkirk Helm and The Sole Saviors
• Updated the model/materials for The Snowmann to fix some LOD issues
• Updated the localization files
• Added Gift Wrap back to the Mann Co. Store at a reduced price
• Added TF2Maps 72hr TF2Jam Winter Participant 2017 community medal
• Added Rally Call Charity Tournament community medals
• Added ozfortress Season 18 tournament medals
• Added new survey questions to the end-of-match survey for Casual and Competitive modes and fixed a bug where multiple surveys could be displayed at the same time

TF2Maps presents their next 72hour TF2Jam this Friday, February 10th at 6pm GST. The last TF2Jam had over 500 entries, and they're looking to make this one even bigger!

For the uninitiated, the TF2Jam is all about the art and craft of all things Team Fortress 2, done in less than 72 hours. This includes creating maps, models, videos, artwork, fanfiction, articles, games, mods, sculptures, interpretive dance, and anything else! Participants receive an in-game medal and a well-deserved sense of pride. Click here to learn more.

LuckyLukeTF2 is back with the Top 12 special for 2016! Just like last year, this edition features all the #1 comp TF2 plays of the month for the year of 2016, and it certainly has it all: from a backstab while surfing through the air to a quad airshot. Check out the action above or on LuckyLukeTF2's Youtube channel here.

In July of last year we outlined our position on gambling web sites, specifically noting that Valve has no business relationship with these sites. At that time we also began blocking many CSGO gambling accounts. You can view the original post here.

More recently, some gambling web sites started leveraging TF2 items. Today we began the process of blocking TF2 gambling accounts as well. We recommend you don t trade with these sites.

Come out to the Esports Arena in Santa Ana, California this weekend to experience some of the most competitive PC and Console shooters of the last decade. Esports Arena Rewind will showcase TF2, Halo: Combat Evolved and Shadowrun, with teams from all over the world including, Se7en, Jasmine Tea, Froyotech, EVL Gaming, Meat Market, and Street Hoops Esports. Click here to check out the tournament schedule.

Bouts start at 10am PST on Saturday with grand finals at 4pm on Sunday, so get out to Santa Ana or watch it streamed here.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Fixed a bug related to changing teams that caused various issues related to weapon projectiles, Engineer buildings and game modes
• Fixed using the wrong thumbnail images for pass_district, pass_timbertown, and pl_swiftwater
• Fixed the developer commentary audio files not being played properly
• Fixed not being able to taunt with the Cleaner's Carbine
• Added the LBTF2 6v6 Season 14 tournament medals
• Added an option to hide the 'View Promotional Codes' button in the main menu
  • Can be toggled in the Adv. Options menu under the Miscellaneous Options section
• Updated the models/materials for the Special Snowflake 2016 and the Gift of Giving 2016 community medals
• Updated Mann vs. Machine mode
  • Fixed a case where late-joining a Mann Up match during the final wave could result in erroneously receiving a ten minute cooldown
  • Fixed a bug causing Invader's buildings to blow up if another Invader building of the same type is destroyed after the Engineer has died

Note missed from the Smissmas update:

• Fixed security issue reported by Amat Cama via GeekPwn

Issue #6 is live, everybody, and it's our biggest issue yet!

New to TF comics? Catch up here.

Prepare yourself, the UGC League Winter Season is about to start! Join the thousands of teams that played last season for some competitive TF2 action! The first week of matches starts January 23rd for Highlander, January 25th for 6v6 and January 27th for 4v4.

UGC has divisions across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Players from any of these regions are encouraged to test their skill and join the fun! Remember, January 31st is the sign up deadline. Visit the UGC website for more information.

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Fixed Winter 2016 Cosmetics Collection items not being marketable

Note missed from the previous update:

• The CELT voice codec is now the default for all game servers
  • Community servers can enable use of the older steam voice codec with sv_use_steam_voice 1